Matchmaker Monday following UFC Vegas 5
On Saturday the UFC returned back to Las Vegas for a series of fights and the promotion came back to the United States with some spoilers.
In the main event veteran Derek Brunson spoiled Edmen Shahbazyan rising stardom by getting a TKO win in which marked the first professional loss of Shahbazyan’s career.
In the co-main event, Joanne Calderwood pretty much gave away a title shot to get back in the octagon against Jennifer Maia. Turns out that was a bad move as Maia got a big time submission win.
Let’s find out what’s next for those fighters on this Matcher Maker Monday.
Derek Brunson
Result: defeated Edmen Shahbazyan by third-round TKO at UFC Vegas 5
Next: Winner of Yoel Romero and Uriah Hall
Derek Brunson got a huge win that will now put himself in line for a big time fight. So with that being said let’s match Brunson up with the winner of Yoel Romero and Uriah Hall.
Brunson deserves a big fight and with some moving parts at the top of the division it seems like the winner of Romero and Hall is the safest bet. Originally, I would have liked a match up with Darren Till, but Till is will miss some time with a knee injury.
Edmen Shahbazyan
Result: lost to Derek Brunson by third-round TKO at UFC Vegas 5
Next: Marvin Vettori
While Shahbazyan is no longer unbeaten, I don’t think he lost any stock. UFC president Dana White still thinks highly of the prospect and Shahbazyan himself seems to be dealing with the loss really well.
As far as what’s next there’s a few options out there. You can go with the loser of Romero and Hall as a possibly matchup. But when I looked at the rankings I feel like Marvin Vettori might fit the bill here.
Vettori is finally ranked. He wants a high ranked guy which is unlikely. I think Vettori is the real deal and there’s a lot of fun fights out there for him and this division still has some moving parts that can factor a lot of things. But for the time being, why not book these two? It’s definitely a fun fight and the winner puts themselves into a spot to really start climbing the rankings.
Jennifer Maia
Result: defeated Joanne Calderwood by first-round submission at UFC Vegas 5
Next: Valentina Shevchenko
Great performance by Maia. Now time for the easiest breakdown of what’s next.
Dana White said in the post-fight press conference that Maia will fight for the title against Shevchenko next. Boom there it is. Heard it straight from the horses mouth.
I think there’s a case for Cynthia Calvillo to fight for the belt, but it looks like there’s a title elimination fight coming her way.
Joanne Calderwood
Result: lost to Jennifer Maia by first-round submission
Next: Kaitlyn Chookagian
I give Calderwood some street credit. It took a lot of guts to do what she did. Unfortunately for her, the move didn’t work out and now she’s going to have to try and rework her way back into title contention and that road won’t be easy.
As for what’s next I’m going with Kaitlyn Chookagian and here’s why.
Cynthia Calvillo is getting a title elimination fight and I feel like that’s going to come against Lauren Murphy. Meanwhile you have Chookagian needing a dance partner. Yes Calderwood already lost to Chookagian, but Chookagian has literally fought just about all the top contenders at 125-pounds so she’s going to have to start recycling through.
Good news for Calderwood is that a win over Chookagian puts her right back into title contention.
